Chemical Poisoning Claims

Exposure to hazardous chemicals and substances can cause serious illness or injury, and can affect workers in a wide range of industries. If you've suffered from chemical poisoning at work, our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

Employers have a duty of care to their employees, and should provide anyone working with hazardous chemicals with the proper safety equipment and training. Chemical injury claims can be made when failure to do this has led to chemical poisoning.

Our lawyers have experience of handling chemical poisoning claims caused by number of hazardous substances, including:

Chemicals (or products containing chemicals)

Fumes, dusts, vapours and mists

Gases, particularly asphyxiating gases

Biological agents (bacteria and viruses)

The effects of chemical poisoning will vary depending on the substance and the type of exposure, but the following conditions can be common:

If you've suffered a chemical poisoning-related illness or injury at or because of work, you could be able to claim compensation. Our solicitors have a proven track record in chemical poisoning claims, and we aim to make the claims process as simple as possible for you while you focus on recovery.

Contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation on your claim. We'll advise you on whether we think you've got a case, with no obligation to continue.

Many of our cases are funded with a No Win No Fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk* to you when making a compensation claim.

At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. If you have legal expenses insurance (LEI) or are covered by a trade union policy, these may be best for you. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household or car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.

If we think you're best supported by a No Win No Fee* agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. You'll only have to pay anything if your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees, with the remaining costs coming out of your compensation settlement.

Early compensation payments, also known as interim payments, are made in advance of any final settlement. They’re only made in an agreement with your opponent, if they admit that they're responsible for your illness.

Interim payments can be used to replace lost earnings, so you can afford to pay essential bills if your illness has meant you’ve been absent from work, as well as covering the cost of specialist medical care or mobility equipment.

We'll work hard to get an early admission of fault, and also to obtain early compensation payments to relieve any immediate financial pressures you’re feeling.

Yes, even if your employer has gone out of business you could still make a claim. The company will have been insured to deal with claims like this, so it will be the insurer’s responsibility for any compensation payments.

If you wish to make a claim against your current employer, then any compensation would be paid by their insurer. It has been compulsory to have insurance for many years, so it’s highly likely that they will have this in place. There are also legal safeguards in place to protect you from unfair dismissal.

This basically means that your employer must be able to justify their reason for dismissing you in relation to your claim, which is highly unlikely. If you want to discuss this subject in more detail, our workplace illness solicitors will be able to talk you through your rights and what you can expect.

It was incredible, impressive and comforting how each member of the team was there to support us at different times."

Mr R, client

Frequently Asked Questions

What Protection From Chemical Poisoning Should I Have Been Given?

The Health and Safety at Work Act states that employers have a duty of care for their employees, and must protect them from health risks in the workplace. When hazardous chemicals that carry the risk of poisoning are being used, there is even more legislation that employers have to follow.

You should always be told:

What the hazards and risks are

If there is a workplace exposure limit – and what it is

The results of any exposure monitoring and health surveillance

What to do if there is an accident or an emergency

If you have to work with hazardous substances, a risk assessment under the 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations should have been carried out by your employer – or they should have designated a responsible person to carry it out. Any risks should be controlled, and employees should be given the relevant safety information and equipment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) can include:

Gloves

Overalls

Boots

Goggles

When working with hazardous chemicals, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) can also be required, such as face masks.

The PPE and RPE you're given also needs to be right for the job. Fabric gloves aren't adequate when working with liquids, for example. Masks should have the proper protective filters, and face-fit testing is often required.

If you weren't provided with PPE or RPE, or you weren't given any information on the dangers involved with your work, then your employer's negligence could have put you at risk. If you’re unsure, then contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation on your case, and we'll be able to advise you.

However, this list isn't exhaustive – if you've suffered from a chemical poisoning-related illness or injury because of employer negligence in any line of work, you could be able to claim. Contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation on your case, and we'll be able to tell you if we think you have a claim.

Our solicitors specialise in chemical poisoning claims of all kinds, and can offer expert support in a number of areas, including asthma and dermatitis.

We act on behalf of a number of trade unions, but we can still help you make a claim if you're not a member of one.

If you've never made a compensation claim before, then making a claim against your employer can seem particularly daunting. We make the entire process as accessible and straightforward as possible for you, supporting you every step of the way with expert, plain English advice.

Remember, there are legal safeguards in place that prevent employers from disciplining or dismissing employees who make compensation claims that they're entitled to make. We believe no one who has had an accident, been injured, or suffered from an illness at work due to employer negligence should be put off from claiming the compensation that they are entitled to.

This is the same even if it’s against a former employer who has since gone out of business. We have a proven track record in tracing the insurers of our clients' former employees, who will be responsible for your compensation payments.

We want to make sure that you receive the best compensation possible, and receive the medical care that you need. To ensure we leave no stone unturned, we'll arrange for you to have an examination with a medical expert in your injuries or illness. This could be a dermatologist, an expert in respiratory problems, or a specialist in a specific illness, depending on your condition.

We'll also help you access any medical treatments and rehabilitation support that you need to help you recover as much as possible from your illness or injury.

To find out more about how to claim compensation for work-related chemical poisoning, contact us online, or call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation. We’ll discuss your work-related injuries, and whether we think you can claim.

All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

* Subject to entering into a No Win No Fee agreement in conjunction with our Allianz Litigate insurance policy and complying with your responsibilities under its terms.

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